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Hiking kloof Trail

Tierkloof Hiking Trail – Gammkaberg

Some 30 km outside of Calitzdorp in the Western Cape is the Gammkaberg Nature Reserve, run by Cape Nature. There are a number of trails in the park, the longest (two days) is the Tierkloof Trail that runs up the Tierkloof canyon stops at Oudkraal, an over night camp and then returns to the base camp the next day. Both days distance is about 14 km. The scenery is magnificent and the going moderately hard. The first day ends with a climb of about 450 m over 3 km. The second day is easier with a sharp down hill and then fairly flat all the way home. I recently hiked this trail and it is, as claimed one of the more beautiful hikes in the Western Cape.

The base camp.

Setting out

The trail is built on and around the river that carved the klook (canyon). The river does not run often so this is not a problem. It could get tense though….

Elements of the Cape Fold Mountains can be seen.

Thorn trees growing in the riverbed.

Trail markings are very good, this is an informal one that took my fancy

At Overhang, about halfway there and back.

Overnight camp – Oudkraal.

Sunset is a special time

And the stars are spectacular

Down again.

And relax

Enjoy the sunset

Before the long road home

More pictures here:

 

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Birding flower Kruger National Park Photography

Visit to Kruger Park

In early September and before the rains, we visited the Kruger National Park. The grass was low and the animals plentiful. Here are a few of our pictures.

Lowveld Sunset

Nyala

The original cliched lowveld sunset picture.

Blue head

African Hoopoe

Spotted Hyena and pup

Goliath Heron

Terrapin

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Birding Cape Town Photography Travel Western Cape

Birding on the Symphonia

We went on a cruise with 2000 other birders looking for pelagic birds.

We got some really great shots and had a really good time. We left Cape Town in the late afternoon

Lions head and Table Mountain

The sunset was marvelous

Then next day, the birds

And then back again.

There is a video here

 

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Astro-photography Photography Travel Western Cape

Astrophotography in Grootvadersbosch

We spent a weekend in Grootvadersbosch and the second night was really good for astronomy. Clear and near windless. Beautiful!

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Photography Travel Western Cape

Clouds over Grootvadersbos

We went to Grootvadersbos recently and were treated to an amazing sunset as an electric storm raged just over the mountains.
I missed the lightning but got some really great pictures.





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Art Cape Town

Casspir Project – SA National Gallery

Amanda and I ended up going to the SANG today and found the most amazing military vehicle. A Casspir, completely covered in bead work with a Bible quotation to justify the work. Absolutely beautiful, and in another sense horrible.
You decide.
Photo credits to Amanda and I as I am not sure who shot which image.

But first a description of the art work by the gallery

 

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De Hoop Temenos Western Cape

Some Pictures from Our Holiday

De Hoop and McGregor

 

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Cape Town Photography

Another Cape Town

Cape town is known for its mountains, seascapes, vineyards and general lazy attitude to life. We all recognise the iconic Table Mountain.


But there are other Cape Towns, one of which I found when walking to work. Join me on a walk from Belleville Station up to Voortrekker St.
Cape Town has a large Muslim community.


Shops have mannequins on the pavement outside the tiny shops.



A shopkeeper chains his mannequin to the shop.


Many of the stores carry a mix of products for sale.


And supply hawkers with bulk supplies.


This place is no exception to the multiple income stream business


A herbalist alongside and arcade.

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flower Hiking Western Cape

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

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Terrapin in the Sun

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Fiscal Fly catcher and babies

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Tortoise

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Tortoise

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Flower in terrible dry conditionsimg_4149

Rooikat Trail, Vrolijkheid Reserve

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Family Outing

 

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McGregor Temenos Western Cape

Pictures from McGregor

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Rose in the Temenos Garden

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Daisy

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Drum and wood

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Bemind Wine. Such a lovely colour

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Church in Wyeth Style

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Turn Within Meditation Space, Temenos

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Special Duck Pond

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Daisy